Peach tree named &#34;FLATPRINCESSE&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of flat peach tree, denominated ‘FLATPRINCESSE’, has a very high regular productivity and has the same good fruit quality as other varieties: ‘MAILLARFLAT’ ‘FLATPRETTY’ FLATQUEEN’ ‘FLATNICE’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2005/0903 filed on May 18, 2005 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch—White Flat peach.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of prunuspersica (L.) Batsch white flat peach tree. This tree, named‘FLATPRINCESSE’, produces very long lifetime, good eating quality,semi-freestone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the 66—PyrénéesOrientales—France. Contrast is made to ‘MAILLARFLAT’ flat peach,standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ is apromising candidate for commercial success in that it has a very highregular productivity and has the same well fruit quality as othervarieties: ‘MAILLARFLAT’ ‘FLATPRETTY’ FLATQUEEN’ ‘FLATNICE’.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘FLATPRINCESSE’ flat peach tree (genotype) originated in a cultivatedarea of the south of France, in the 66—Pyrénées Orientales—France whereit was tested. This place is under a Mediterranean climate in atemperate area characterized by irregular and low precipitation withdrought in summer, high temperatures all year long. The ‘FLATPRINCESSE’variety was obtained open-pollination of ‘MAILLARFLAT’. ‘FLATPRINCESSE’was provisionally designated and tested as 02.03.21 PBPL and isregistered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of theFrench Republic Dec. 29, 2004 under number 1016569. It was obtained fromopen-pollination and is propagated by grafting. It has been determinedto have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thisstandard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plantsremained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the treeand the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexuallysituated at Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous,66200 ELNE, Pyrénées Orientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of flat peach tree blooms with‘FLATPRINCESSE’ flat peach in March at Perpignan in the PyrénéesOrientales, France. More particularly, it blooms at the same time as‘MAILLARFLAT, between 7^(th) and 21^(st) of March.

The fruit of ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ first ripens in August 18 days after‘MAILLARFLAT’. More particularly, it approximately ripens between August16^(th) and 25^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a colour illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a colour photograph which shows the flesh of the fruit of thenew variety ‘FLATPRINCESSE’.

FIG. 2 is a colour photograph which shows a typical specimen of thefruit of the new variety ‘FLATPRINCESSE’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ is high, dueto its early ripening, its evenness of maturity.

Trees are vigorous and medium stature half-standing in a semi-spread outaspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwoods side awayfrom sun. Flowering begins medium in springtime. The type of flower isshowy and rosaceous with relative medium petal size. Petals are pink.Two or three flat peach leaf glands are present and reniform. Time ofmaturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh is white and its skinis red. The stone is small size and the flesh is semi adherent.

Compared to ‘MAILLARFLAT’ variety, ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ has an older time ofmaturity, 18 days later. Fruits are red coloured over 90% instead of 60to 70% for ‘MAILLARFLAT4 fruits. ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ has more flowers, 45flowers per meter instead of 40 flowers per meter for ‘MAILLARFLAT’.‘FLATPRINCESSE’ fruit tastes the same as ‘MAILLARFLAT’, semi sweet andaromatic. Evenness of productivity is better and regular.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of flat peach tree, the following has been observedduring the fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing atElne which is located in the Pyrénées Orientales, France.

Tree

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium and large as compared to other            common commercial flat peach cultivars ripening in the            middle season of maturity.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years of    observation and thinning was necessary during the past 3 years.-   Form: Upright semi-standing, and pruned to a vase semi-spread out    shape.-   Density: Considered dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyrénées    Orientales climatic conditions.

Trunk

-   Diameter: Considered average.-   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of    papery scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present.-   Lenticel colour: Considered brown.-   Bark colouration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a    medium grey-brown.

Branches

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other flat peach varieties.-   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is    several years old.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable. This    particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the    variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Considered average.-   Colour of mature branches: Medium brown.-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Colour.—Light green. The colour of new shoot tips is            considered a bright and shiny green.

Leaves

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements    have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at    approximately mid-shoot.-   Leaf length: Considered average.-   Leaf width: Considered average.-   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal    axis.-   Leaf form: Lanceolate. Considered to be relatively narrow for the    species.-   Leaf tip form: Reniform.-   Leaf colour:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—green.-   Leaf texture: Glabrous.-   Leaf colour: green.    -   -   Lower surface.—Medium green.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Colour.—Light white green.-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered crenate.-   Uniformity: Considered generally uniform.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to about 2.0 mm.        -   Colour.—Pale green.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Number.—Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally            two glands per margin side.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Colour.—Considered a pale orange.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Size.—Medium large for the variety.        -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 4 per shoot tip.        -   Form.—Lanceolate in form and having a serrated margin.        -   Colour.—Green, when young, but graduating to a brown colour,            with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be            early deciduous.

Flowers

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—The floral buds, depending upon the stage of            development, are conic in form; and slightly appressed            relative to the bearing shoot.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Colour.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. The bud scales are deep purple. The buds are            considered hardy under typical central Pyrénées Orientales            climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury has been noted during the last several    years of evaluation in the central Pyrénées Orientales. The current    variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat    stress, and therefore this information is not available.-   Date of bloom: early March-   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to    other commercial flat peach cultivars grown in the Pyrénées    Orientales, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March. The    date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural    practices.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 15 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy rosaceous    type flower.-   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom approximately 34.0 to    about 38.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered very abundant, approximately 45 flowers    per meter.-   Flower bud frequency: Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per node.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large for the species.-   Length: Considered average.-   Width: Considered average.-   Petal form: Slightly ovoid.-   Petal count: Nearly always 5.-   Petal texture: Glabrous.-   Petal colour: Pink.-   Fragrance: Slight.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered generally ovoid and has a            medium size when compared to other varieties.        -   Length.—Considered average.        -   Width.—Considered average.-   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to    slightly ruffled, to moderately undulate.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long.        -   Diameter.—Considered average.        -   Colour.—A medium brown.-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Colour.—A dull orange.-   Calyx:    -   -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.        -   Colour.—Purple.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent            texture.        -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.        -   Colour.—A deep purple.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Average in length.        -   Colour.—Red to reddish-orange dorsally.-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a white colour. The    present variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Length is variable and is considered average.-   Colour: Considered light pink.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Considered average. including the ovary.        -   Colour.—Considered a very pale green. Surface texture.—The            variety has a long glabrous pistil.

Fruit

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of picking: August. The date of harvest varies slightly with    the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform.-   Average cheek diameter: Considered average.-   Average axial diameter: Considered average.-   Typical weight: Approximately between 150.0 and 200.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Considerably oblate and flattened. The fruit is            generally uniform in symmetry.-   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to    the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the    suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Colour.—This has a pale brown background colour.-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Only slightly indented.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Base: Generally retuse.-   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick.        -   Texture.—Low Pubescent.        -   Taste.—semi sweet, very aromatic.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Colour:    -   -   Blush colour.—This blush colour is generally red. The red            blush covers 80 to 90% of the fruit skin surface. The            percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,            and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions            under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground colour.—Pale brown.-   Fruit stem: Medium in length.-   Diameter: Considered average.-   Colour: Pale white-green.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Very firm, juicy and dense.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are typically found.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi sweet and sub acidic. The flavor is            considered both pleasant and balanced.        -   Juice.—Moderate.        -   Brix.—This characteristic varies slightly with the number of            fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the            surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh colour.—White.

Stone

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies    significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Average.-   Width: Average.-   Diameter: Average.-   Form: Ovoid.-   Base: The stone is usually rounded to slightly oblique relative to    the ventral side.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is irregularly furrowed toward the            apical end. Pitting is generally more present and noted on            the lateral sides and toward the base.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered medium.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Full, lightly grooved, and having a reasonably smooth            margin.-   Stone colour: The colour of the dry stone is generally considered a    reddish brown.-   Tendency to split: Splitting has rarely been noted.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-large.        -   Form.—Considered ovoid.        -   Pellicle.—No pubescent.        -   Colour.—brown-orange.-   Use: The subject variety ‘FLATPRINCESSE’ is considered to be a flat    peach tree of the medium season of maturity, and which produces    fruit that are considered firm, attractively coloured, and which are    useful for both local and very long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed one week on tree before    harvest and then, has stored well up to 3 weeks after harvest at 1.0    degree Celsius.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new flat peach    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or    detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or    fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of flat peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear ELNE, FRANCE, it should be understood that variations of the usualmagnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are tobe expected.

1. A new and distinct flat peach tree variety as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by a very high regular productivity and has thesame good fruit quality as other varieties: ‘MAILLARFLAT’ ‘FLATPRETTY’FLATQUEEN’ ‘FLATNICE’.